Modern Foreign Languages
Curriculum Leader: Mr E Cave - cavee@saintgeorgescofe.kent.sch.uk
The world is now a much smaller place thanks to developments in technology, which means a working knowledge of a foreign language has become an extremely important skill. Business leaders often speak of the need for the country to produce more linguists if the United Kingdom is to operate effectively on the world stage and at Saint George’s, we do our best to ensure that this happens.
The MFL department believes that engagement and encouragement are key to motivating pupils to achieve. Language classes are lively and students are encouraged to develop their listening, speaking, reading and writing skills. The students are assessed on a regular basis, with particular emphasis placed on vocabulary and grammar learning.
We are fortunate at Saint George’s that we are able to offer students the opportunity to use their languages in the countries where they are spoken. At present, we organise several very successful visits.
Intent
Our aim is to provide all students with the opportunity to develop language skills and to have a wider understanding of the world around them through an environment which allows students to develop confidence, enthusiasm and resilience in order for them to flourish. We do this through a focus on main skills which include speaking, reading, listening and writing whilst studying a range of topics which are revisited and developed to further students’ understanding of grammar and range of vocabulary.
Implementation
The curriculum is structured to ensure that linguistic building blocks are developed and revisited, and increase in challenge to support students in MFL to develop and flourish. We feel that students should have the opportunity to study one foreign language until the end of year 9, but we understand that some pupils can find this challenging. We use a range of teaching strategies to ensure that the subject is inclusive which gives opportunities to students to develop key language skills through their MFL journey as well as developing their cultural capital. We also aim to give meaningful opportunities outside our MFL classrooms, by giving students opportunities to impart their knowledge and develop leadership skills by allowing them to teach in our trust Primary school and develop their own language skills further through extracurricular activities and trips.
We ensure that SEND and disadvantaged children are given the necessary support in class to access the Curriculum fully and that equal opportunities are given to all.
Impact
Whether students opt to end their study of a language at the end of Year 9 or continue to study a language until the end of Year 13, we hope that students will leave our language classrooms more open-minded, more aware of the world around them and understand the doors that can be opened to them through the use and understanding of languages. But above all we want our learners to have an engaging experience that can impact their future life choices.
Modern Foreign Languages in Key Stage 3 (KS3)
Year 7: 6 hours a fortnight of language lessons (3 hours of French & 3 hours of Spanish)
Year 8: 4 hours a fortnight for the chosen language
Year 9: 4 hours a fortnight for the chosen language
At Saint George’s, we take into account that pupils starting French and Spanish in year 7 will have a range of different language learning experiences, depending on the provision at their primary school. Therefore, we differentiate our teaching to meet the needs of all pupils. We focus on all the skills that language learning encompasses; speaking, listening, reading and writing. During years 8 and 9 pupils study French or Spanish resulting in pupils having more hours to study their allocated language in order to better prepare them for GCSE.
We use interactive and creative programmes to teach foreign languages, including audio and video.
A number of topics and grammar points are studied in years 7,8 & 9. These include describing myself, family and friends, leisure activities and school but an emphasis is also put on giving students the opportunity to develop their cultural understanding.
We expect most pupils to reach grade 3 by the end of year 8. The skills developed throughout Key Stage 3 are aimed to provide a solid foundation for Key Stage 4, as they are essential for success at GCSE. At the end of Key Stage 3 pupils can choose to continue with French or Spanish at GCSE in Key Stage 4.
Modern Foreign Languages in Key Stage 4 (KS4)
Year 10: 5 hours a fortnight for the chosen language
Year 11: 5 hours a fortnight for the chosen language
The course enables pupils to develop the language skills they have acquired during KS3 and they are regularly assessed in each of the 4 skills (listening, reading, speaking and writing) throughout KS4.
They will be expected to use all four skills to discuss in detail a variety of themes:
- Identity and culture
- Home and holidays
- School
- Future plans, education and work
- The wider world and environment
| Module | French | Spanish |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Family life and the importance of friendships | Talking about holidays and travel |
| 2 | What you do in your free time | Describing school life |
| 3 | Discussing celebrations and festivals | Family life and the importance of friendships |
| 4 | Describing your town and the area you live in | What you do in your free time |
| 5 | Talking about holidays and travel | Describing your town and the area you live in |
| 6 | Describing school life | Discussing celebrations and festivals |
| 7 | The world of work and future aspirations | The world of work and future aspirations |
| 8 | Talking about the world and international events | Talking about the world and international events |
GCSE Assessments
At GCSE you will be tested on four key skills: listening, speaking, reading and writing. The course content will help you to develop your ability to communicate with native speakers and gain a wider understanding of the French or Spanish-speaking world.
| Listening (AO1) (25%) |
|
|
|
|||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
35 Minutes (Foundation) |
7-9 Minutes (Foundation) |
45 Minutes (Foundation) |
1 Hour 15 Minutes (Foundation) |
|||
|
Questions and answers will both be in French/Spanish and English in separate sections. |
Students will be required to express themselves solely in the assessed language in a 3 part examination:
|
This must be awarded for responses to questions set in the assessed language. Questions and answers will both be in French/Spanish and English in separate sections. |
Students will be required to express themselves solely in the assessed language and will be assessed on their ability to communicate effectively through writing in French/Spanish for different purposes and audiences. Students are required to produce extended responses of varying lengths and types to express ideas and opinions in French/Spanish. |
The examinations will all take place at the end of the 2-year course in Year 11 but throughout the 2 years, students will be assessed thoroughly on all skills to ensure they are practising & maximising their chances to achieve the highest grades in Year 11.
Any language course has practical benefits for students wishing to make themselves more marketable in the workplace as well as being very useful in social contexts such as holidays and visits and providing students with valuable skills for later life.
Exam Board for French: Edexcel GCSE French
Exam Board for Spanish: Edexcel GCSE Spanish
Modern Foreign Languages Career Paths
Any language course has practical benefits for students wishing to make themselves more marketable in the workplace as well as being very useful in social contexts such as holidays and visits and providing students with valuable skills for later life.
Students can progress further to obtain an A Level in French Language or an A Level in Spanish Language.
Extra Resources
- Duolingo: Free Language Learning App
- Quizlet: Flashcards and Practice Tests
- BBC Bitesize: French
- BBC Bitesize: Spanish
- French Learning Resources
- Spanish Learning Resources